For decades, the byword in excellence for restaurants has always been the Michelin star. But what about hotels?
Easy, says Michelin: they’ve just launched a rating for that too.
Hotels have been recommended by the Michelin guides since 1920, but in April 2024, the organisation announced a complete refresh of the way it ranks them. Enter the Michelin Keys.
Similarly to awarding restaurants a star, the Keys denote excellence in hotel service. All hotels in the existing Michelin guides are eligible to receive one, and according to the organisation, the Key system “highlights the crème de la crème of our selection”.
The team use five criteria for selecting their hotels. There’s excellence in architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; overall personality and character; the value in relation to the price; and a significant contribution to the neighbourhood or setting.
The lucky hotels who meet those criteria will be awarded with either One, Two or Three Keys.
“Our One and Two Key distinctions denote some of the best places in our selection, but if you’re anywhere, anytime, and you can make it to a Three Key hotel – do whatever you can to get there for a night,” the guide says. “It’s one of the most outstanding experiences in the world.”
Naturally, plenty of London hotels have made the cut for Michelin’s first Key ranking of the UK’s best places to stay. In fact, they make up almost half of the entries. Here they are – just in time to book for a cosy winter weekend.
Three Key Hotels
Bvlgari Hotel London
Claridge's – read our review here
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
Raffles London at The OWO
The Connaught
The Peninsula London – read our review here
Two Key Hotels
45 Park Lane, Dorchester Collection
Brown's Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Corinthia Hotel London
Covent Garden Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
Ham Yard Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
Haymarket Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
Hotel Café Royal
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London – read our review here
Rosewood London
The Beaumont Hotel – read our review here
The Berkeley
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London
The Dorchester, Dorchester Collection
The Langham, London
The Twenty Two
One Key Hotels
1 Hotel Mayfair
Artist Residence London
Baglioni Hotel London
Beaverbrook Town House – read our review here
Broadwick Soho
Charlotte Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
Chiltern Firehouse – read our review here
COMO The Halkin – read our review here
Flemings Mayfair
Four Seasons Hotel London
Knightsbridge Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
L'oscar London
NoMad London
Number Sixteen, Firmdale Hotels
One Aldwych
Redchurch Townhouse
Shangri-La The Shard London
Sofitel London St James
The Emory
The Soho Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
